State-Journal.com - Cinderella will get her dress

Photo By State Journal/Kelly MackeyAmy Nance, left, and Betty Lawson hold up prom dresses donated to Cinderella’s Closet.

To some high school students, it might seem like prom is all about the dress.

But for low-income girls in Frankfort - who might skip the yearly tradition because they can’t afford a dress - it’s also about building self-esteem, says Amy Nance, coordinator of the Youth Services Center at Franklin County High School.

Nance and others are coordinating an effort to give struggling students free prom dresses, which on average cost between $150 and $300 when purchased new.

“It’s really not even about the dress,” she said. “It’s more about making the girl feel special.”

Cinderella’s Closet will serve about 30 girls this year, Nance said, but she expects more than 100 from Frankfort’s three high schools will benefit next year.

In the future, dresses will be distributed during a two-day “shopping” event at First United Methodist Church. High school seniors who qualify for free or reduced lunch, or those with special circumstances will be considered, Nance said.

This year, each school will distribute dresses on a smaller scale to the girls who need them most.

“It is a need, and it’s so heartwarming,” said Betty Lawson, student support specialist for Western Hills High School and Bondurant Middle School.

“The whole time you’re there working, you just want to cry.”

Nance and Lawson found out about Cinderella’s Closet when they attended a meeting for Family Resource and Youth Service Center leaders in Northern Kentucky, where the program operates as a ministry of Immanuel United Methodist Church in Lakeside Park.

The church started the program in 2007, and has given dresses to more than 500 girls since. Nance, a member of First United Methodist, said she hopes the Frankfort community can “expand the program from Northern Kentucky to Central Kentucky.”

By March 2011, the women hope to share Cinderella’s Closet with students in other central Kentucky counties. First United Methodist will remain the headquarters, Nance said.

During April, dresses can be dropped off at FCHS, WHHS, Frankfort High School or First United Methodist Church, 211 Washington St.

After that, dresses will be accepted year-round at the church. Dresses less than 5 years old are best, Nance said, and dry cleaning is recommended, but not required.

But it takes more than a dress to go to prom. Donations of shoes, purses, jewelry, shawls, gloves and make up are needed.

Money will also be accepted and will go toward items that are donated less frequently, like plus-sized dresses.

Eventually, volunteers will be needed to organize, alter dresses and serve as the “fairy godmothers” who guide the girls through the dress shop.

“Next March, we’ll need all kinds of volunteers,” Nance said.

Girls can keep their dresses, but Nance said she expects many will donate them back to the effort.

She encourages churches, civic organizations and clubs to hold their own dress drives. New or used prom dresses, bridesmaid dresses, pageant dresses - any formal wear will go to good use, she said.

Donors can request a tax deduction form, she said.

“The girls will say, ‘Don’t make a big fuss,’” Lawson said. “But it’s their day, and we want to make that day special and make their prom special.”